Melbourne: Australia and New Zealand opted for modest understatement as the 2015 World Cup co-hosts officially opened the tournament with concurrent opening ceremonies in Melbourne and Christchurch yesterday.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq during the opening ceremony in Melbourne yesterday. Pics/Getty Images, AFP

In 45 days’ time Melbourne will stage the final of a tournament that has become the flagship event for international cricket. While the likes of established powers England, South Africa, India and Australia will bid for glory in the next few weeks, the 14-team tournament will offer a celebration of the cultural convergence cricket has not always been inclined to fully embrace. The most eye-catching moment arrived when an 18-foot illuminated batsman, dubbed ‘The Player’, strode on to the Melbourne stage with the aid of an eight-strong team of puppeteers.